Ukraine said its drones hit a vessel from Russia's shadow fleet – the first such strike in the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Russia's shadow fleet transports sanctioned Russia oil by frequently changing flags and concealing ownership.

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukrainian drones have struck a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Mediterranean Sea, marking the first time such an attack has occurred in neutral waters. According to Ukraine's security service, the tanker was empty at the time but sustained critical damage, rendering it unusable. These tankers are known for transporting sanctioned Russian oil by frequently changing flags and concealing ownership. 

The attack comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the nearly four-year conflict. Ukrainian and European officials are set to meet with US representatives in Miami, while Russian officials will also hold separate talks. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated threats of retaliation, and a direct meeting between Russian and Ukrainian envoys has been ruled out.

Ukraine strikes Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean sea

Ukrainian drones rain down on another one of Russia's Shadow Fleet tankers. It's the first time such a strike has taken place in neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Ukraine's security service said it was empty at the time of the attack, but it sustained critical damage and cannot be used for its intended purpose. These vessels are used to transport sanctioned Russian oil by frequently changing flags and concealing ownership. Kiev has previously targeted tankers in the Black Sea. Moscow threatened to sever Ukraine's access to the water. At an end-of-year press conference, Russia's President Putin reiterated his threats of retaliation. This won't achieve the expected result. It won't disrupt any supplies and will only create additional threats. We will certainly respond. These latest strikes came amid fresh attempts to bring the nearly four-year war to an end. Ukrainian negotiators, along with European top officials, will meet with US President Trump's global envoy Steve Whitkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner in Miami on Saturday. Washington's Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Ukraine would not be forced to accept a deal, but it's not an easy process. There is no peace deal unless Ukraine agrees to it. But there's also no peace deal unless Russia agrees to it. We are just trying to find whether there's common ground that we can make happen. And maybe that's not possible. Maybe it is. Maybe that's not possible right now. Putin's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, will also be meeting separately with Whitkoff and Kushner in Florida this weekend. A meeting between Dmitriev and the Ukrainian delegation has been ruled out.

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Ukraine strikes Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean sea

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Ukraine Invasion